Jt’s Indie Christian Music Podcast

Artist: Jennifer Begrin
CD Title: Performance Canceled
Style: Contemporary, Americana
Website: http://www.myspace.com/jbegrin
Buy Her Music: http://www.indieheaven.com/artist_main.php?id=79334
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Playlist
1. Forgotten
2. Into You
3. Your Hands
4. Wasted
5. Known
6. My Master
7. Single Mother
8. Everlasting Arms
9. The Narrow Road

I came across Jennifer Begrin on the website Indie Heaven and after hearing her music I sent her a message asking if I could use her music on my podcast “Jt’s Indie Christian Music Podcast“. At that point I had only listened to a little bit of her music, just enough to know that it would fit in with the podcast. After Listening to all the songs on her soon to be released CD titled “Performance Canceled” I have come to realize a few things. The First thing is, well, that I’m a sucker. There is just a certain type of voice that really strikes a chord in me, and while listening to the song “Known” it was clear to me that Jennifer has one of those voices. Another thing I realized was that I am so lucky, God has blessed me with gift of getting to hear so much great music. So lets get on with the review.

One of my biggest Pet Peeves, as many of you know, is when all the music on a CD sounds so similar that I have to check to see what song I’m listening to. Happily this is not a problem with this CD. Starting out with her song forgotten and a crisp electric guitar and a upbeat sound, this CD starts out with a poppy rock feeling. It doesn’t stay there however. The CD flows from one style to another, from the country feel of “Into You” with a Brass section and Steel Guitar to the acoustic worship of “My Master”. I can only Imagine what a Live performance must be like. The CD is mixed well, There was no real time when I couldn’t pick out any of the individual instruments.

This CD only has one weakness, and I know I am going to get a lot of flack from this. While this CD, in my opinion, doesn’t have a bad song on it, the songs themselves don’t seem to come together as a single unit. So after stating that my biggest pet peeve is when all the songs sound to similar, I find myself in the position of saying that I found the songs as a whole too different. I find this a minor problem and nowhere near as annoying as its opposite. With the reality of I-Tunes where everyone has personal playlists the fact is that I only listen to entire CD’s in order when doing reviews.

Without a doubt my favorite song on the CD is the Song “Single Mother”. There is something so beautiful and simple about this song. where the main instruments are an acoustic Guitar and a Rainstick. I found myself relating to the song in a very personal way, while not a Single Mother, I am a father who has spent many a sleepless night on my knees praying for my children and their mother. Both the feelings of Hopelessness at the situation and Hope that is in the unfailing love of Jesus are clear in the songs lyrics.

“You feel so forgotten, and all the bills are due
There is nothing left to sell, how will you ever make it through?
Jesus Christ will not forget, He will not abandon you.
Remember all His promises, He says that you can claim them too.

With the combination of powerful lyrics, a great voice and well performed and well produced music it is no surprise that I give Jennifer Begrin a Solid 4 stars out of 5 her songs have found an almost permanent place on my MP3 player. Many times since I was lucky enough to get this CD I have found myself playing it and just allowing her wonderful voice to flow over me. Her music has become a integral part of my prayer life. Several times I have played this CD during my prayer time and just let the music lead my prayers.